People who use words they don't understand

Prodgey

A lot of people try to look smarter than they are by using big words, some of which they don't actually understand, and hope they work in the context.


The other day I was at the gym with a friend. We were debating whether or not to go up a few kg or not. He goes to me:
"Well, Prodgey, if you're feeling particularly promiscuous you might try the 18kg." :pac:
Needless to say I took the piss for the rest of the day.

Any examples of people you know making fools of themselves in this way?

Honey-ec

Prodgey wrote: »

Any examples of people you know making fools of themselves in this way?

Anyone who uses the word "revert" when they actually mean "reply".

That makes baby jesus (and me) cry.

wazky

I literally understand what your saying.

krudler

"I literally died laughing"

No, no you didn't.

kneemos

Prodgey wrote: »

A lot of people try to look smarter than they are by using big words, some of which they don't actually understand, and hope they work in the context.


The other day I was at the gym with a friend. We were debating whether or not to go up a few kg or not. He goes to me:
"Well, Prodgey, if you're feeling particularly promiscuous you might try the 18kg." :pac:
Needless to say I took the piss for the rest of the day.

Any examples of people you know making fools of themselves in this way?

Jim.

Gumbi

krudler wrote: »

"I literally died laughing"

No, no you didn't.

Ah in fairness that's called vernacular usage. In that context it isn't mean to mean "literally", 'tis just being use as a strong emphatic. Killed your moment?

krudler

Gumbi wrote: »

Ah in fairness that's called vernacular usage. In that context it isn't mean to mean "literally", 'tis just being use as a strong emphatic. Killed your moment?

So it literally doesn't mean literally?

ButtersSuki

krudler wrote: »

"I literally died laughing"

No, no you didn't.

Literally has recently been redefined and expanded to include non-literal meanings. I know!

Can't add much more to this at the moment as I'm using an iPhone but a quick google should yield confirmation of same. Heard this being discussed recently on a radio programme.

castletownman

Yes. When in Rome.......

Stone Deaf 4evr

Anyone watch the tv show "archer" main character uses great english even though it sounds all wrong. "lana, I'm figuratively dying over here".

I hate when I'm explaining things and people tell me to be more pacific.

DeanAustin

Honey-ec wrote: »

Anyone who uses the word "revert" when they actually mean "reply".

That makes baby jesus (and me) cry.

I used to do that. For shame...

Loopy

It's all relative...

Arrrgh.

folan

i endeavor to vernacularate to the highest possible standard.

longhalloween

droll
adjective
1.
amusing in an odd way; whimsically humorous; waggish.
noun
2.
a droll person; jester; wag.
verb (used without object)
3.
Archaic. to jest; joke.

4.
DOES NOT MEAN 'BORING'!!!!

Muise...

I get Inigo to sort them out for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y8Sx4B2Sk

The Backwards Man

Ironically, that's literally a moot point.

danniemcq

Honestly this thread is giving me paroxysms of exasperation

Links234

This thread is starting to read like John Waters' vocabulary.

krudler

krudler wrote: »

"I literally died laughing"

No, no you didn't.

https://www.google.ie/search?site=&source=hp&q=define%3A+literally

Sky King

I don't see what's wrong with it, it's a perfectly cromulent word.

conor2469

Irregardless (instead of regardless).

YFlyer

In before Del Boy sentences.

biko

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Literally has recently been redefined and expanded to include non-literal meanings. I know!

Yeah, I blame "word meaning inflation"/hyperbole to use stronger words to elicit a response.

"I tore his head off" - I told him I disapproved of his comment
"My dad will kill me" - my da will be miffed
"I'm depressed" - I'm feel a little down today

Mr. CooL ICE

Not the same thing, but double negatives piss me off

"I ain't not going"

take everything

"he was talking to you and I"
"the most important tenants of religion"
"i didn't illicit any signs of distress"
"I'm nauseous"
"what are you inferring by that statement?
"Poor concentration is exasperated by tiredness".

Some not exactly what the OP is talking about but they are bloody annoying.

Elbaston

LordChessington wrote: »

Not the same thing, but double negatives piss me off

"I ain't not going"

I could care less.

Earthhorse

Loopy wrote: »

It's all relative...

Hmmm? Not sure I get this one.

srsly78

krudler wrote: »

So it literally doesn't mean literally?

For all intensive purposes it does.

Artful_Badger

krudler wrote: »

So it literally doesn't mean literally?

Literally can mean literally, it can also mean figuratively depending on how its used. I don't get why so many have issue with this, its not much different than sarcasm really.

Vito Corleone

I hate when people use words just to sound more intelligent even though it adds nothing to what they have said. "Essentially" is one used a fair bit, I know a lad who will fit this into every sentence he can just to sound smarter. It's actually embarrassing, objectively speaking. As he would say himself.

ElvisChrist6

longhalloween wrote: »

droll
adjective
1.
amusing in an odd way; whimsically humorous; waggish.
noun
2.
a droll person; jester; wag.
verb (used without object)
3.
Archaic. to jest; joke.

4.
DOES NOT MEAN 'BORING'!!!!

I do understand why people think it means boring, drole is one of the most boring words for funny there is. If not for learning French, I probably would have guessed it meant boring!

Muise...

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Ironically, that's literally a moot point.

that reminds me - "mute point", which kinda works.

KungPao

Honey-ec wrote: »

Anyone who uses the word "revert" when they actually mean "reply".

That makes baby jesus (and me) cry.

I was trying to think of a good reply to this comment, but I can't right now.

Hmmm.

I'll revert back to you later on this.

wil

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Literally can mean literally, it can also mean figuratively depending on how its used. I don't get why so many have issue with this, its not much different than sarcasm really.

It's literally the opposite of sarcasm:rolleyes:

donegal_road

I heard a woman say one time, that the roads were 'absolutely crucial' because of the heavy frost.

Amirani

Some extraneous*ones here to help the confused people: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:List_of_commonly_misused_English_words


*Yes it's intentionally misused...

wil

donegal_road wrote: »

I heard a woman say one time, that the roads were in 'absolutely crucial condition' because of the heavy frost.

She was only skidding:o /groan

Artful_Badger

wil wrote: »

It's literally the opposite of sarcasm:rolleyes:

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/131/399/fry.PNG?1307468855

jester77

A lot of people are ignorant of begrudgery, literally

Roose

Knew a chap that used to throw the word 'pedantic' into any sentence he could to sound smart, usually in a sporting context for some reason.
'That was a pedantic goal.'
'This is pedantic play by Federer.'
'Arsenal play really pedantic football.'

BeerWolf

conor2469 wrote: »

Irregardless (instead of regardless).

I personally see it's usage as a more unofficial 'profound' emphasis, like how people say "That fecking car" - you don't need 'fecking' in there. Just emphasizing their annoyance to get their point across.

krudler

Revert is my other bugbear, especially when clueless management types us it. "We'd like you to revert back to us" whaaa?

alfa beta

i like throwing the word 'masticate' into a sentence....correctly now I'll have you know.

My wife leaned over to me in the restaurant and told me to stop masticating so loudly - as I was starting to get funny looks....

back on topic, I've heard a lot of people tearing their crucial ligament - sounds painful

KungPao

Very common in Ireland - Sallow.

It does not mean having a nice olive complexion! It means sick looking...all pale/yellow like your liver just conked out.

minotour

Stone Deaf 4evr wrote: »

Anyone watch the tv show "archer" main character uses great english even though it sounds all wrong. "lana, I'm figuratively dying over here".

I hate when I'm explaining things and people tell me to be more pacific.

Phrasing!!!!

Zillah

ElvisChrist6 wrote: »

I do understand why people think it means boring, drole is one of the most boring words for funny there is. If not for learning French, I probably would have guessed it meant boring!

I would imagine it is because people frequently hear "droll" used sarcastically.

"...that wouldn't be the first time she said that! Hahaha!"
"...how droll :rolleyes:"

Earthhorse

KungPao wrote: »

Very common in Ireland - Sallow.

It does not mean having a nice olive complexion! It means sick looking...all pale/yellow like your liver just conked out.

Wow. I've been using this one wrong.

Or should that be wrongly? Damn you, English, damn you to hell!

Penny Dreadful

A few of the people I work with get their words wrong on a frequent basis.
One speaks of being sequestered to a new role rather than seconded.
Another spoke to a woman's long blone trellis--- meant tresses.
She gets upset when she scoffs her shoes rather than scuffs them.

Systemic Risk

srsly78 wrote: »

For all intensive purposes it does.

I agree with this one. This is a good example of the type of stuff that bugs me quite a bit. If it doesn't make sense when you write it down do a quick web search and find out if you have the phrase correct. For those that don't know it should be "for all intents and purposes".

wil

People who dont swear properly, ffs

PickledLime

Vito Corleone wrote: »

I hate when people use words just to sound more intelligent even though it adds nothing to what they have said. "Essentially" is one used a fair bit, I know a lad who will fit this into every sentence he can just to sound smarter. It's actually embarrassing, objectively speaking. As he would say himself.

How is trowing "essentially" into a sentence intelligent sounding?

Is he the only member of his peer group to get through secondary school?